With avg AQI of 307, 2026 sees second best January in 5 yrs in Delhi

Delhi’s air quality showed a marginal deterioration this January compared to last year, with the average Air Quality Index (AQI) standing at 307 till January 30, according to an analysis by the Centre for Research on Energy and Clean Air (CREA). The average AQI during the same period in January 2025 was 306.Despite the slight increase, January 2026 ranks as the second-best January for air quality in the past five years. The analysis noted that January 2025, with an average AQI of 306, was the cleanest January since 2022, when the monthly average AQI stood at 279.
Data from CREA showed that so far this month, Delhi has recorded two days with “moderate” air quality, 12 “poor” days, 14 “very poor” days, and two “severe” days. In comparison, January 2025 saw two “moderate” days, 13 “poor” days, and 16 “very poor” days, with no “severe” air quality days reported during the month.The presence of two “severe” days in January 2026, compared to none last year, appears to have contributed to the slightly higher average AQI this month, the analysis said.Looking ahead, the air quality early warning system has forecast “very poor” air quality for January 31. According to the Central Pollution Control Board, an AQI between 0 and 50 is categorised as “good”, 51–100 as “satisfactory”, 101–200 as “moderate”, 201–300 as “poor”, 301–400 as “very poor”, and 401–500 as “severe”.